New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-22
measures to postpone Indefinitely the extern
sion of the old reciprocity compact.
THE EDMUyDs FISHERIES BILL.


II Is the custom of the American people to
place heavy responsibilities upon their Chief
Magistrate. They can afford to do SO. they
have the ability TO understand, and recognize
tho duty Of examining all questions OF public
concern, and they know the potency OF their
opinion. President cannot long remain in
Ignorance of the opinion entertained by ma
iority Of the people as to his conduct in affairs
of extraordinary Moment and unless he Is OBJ
stina,e and sclf-willcd to suicidal degree, nc
is not likely seriously to abuse their confidence.
The bill proposed by Senator Edmunds as q
rctalatory measure upon Ca"ada places IN the
Presidents hands power which. wisely used.
is almost sure to bring our Northern neighbors
TO their senses. Unwiscly used, it might in
yolyo us in a costly International trouble.
Tho bill proposes to vest In The PRESIDENT
the authority TO close our ports against Can
adam vessels and our Custom Houses against
her merchandise whenever he believes hat.tbe
rights OF our fishermen in Canadian waters
have been invaded. To what extent he shall
use this power is left to his discretion. but 1t
is made his duty to take some action in the
line indicated. His Message left no doubt that
no was fully convinced Canada had violated
treaty stipulations and the organic principles
of international comfy, and had been guilty,
through her local officers. Of inhuman and
most offensive conduct toward our citizens.
His language was very strong, so that IL tho
power to act is given him the people may OK
pect to see II exercised.
II is pity in this emergency that the Pres
ident has not the assistance of a wcll-cquippcd
and we'll balanced statesman in the State Dc
partmcnt Mr. Bayard's temperament admits
of such sudden and causelcss changes from
choeric nervousness to passive submission, and
he displays such facility for taking an I'M
tenablo position, that he is always likely in
crisis to do far more harm than good. III the
President relies upon his Secretary Of States
counsel as to the measure Of resistance he Will
offer to Canada, the country will watch the
issue with anxiety. 1t is probable, however,
that as this bill cOnfcrs upon him the right to
stop all traffic OF every kind with the Domin-
ion, lie will not act without careful considera-
ton of that stcadier advice which may be ex-
pectcd from the aggressive but discreet Sec
rotary OF the Treasury.
Objection will doubtless he made To this last
feature of the bill. and it will DC asked why
all our trade with Canada should suffer because
of tho fisheries A sufficient answer is that the
object of this legislation is 10 compel Canada
to abandon her unnghteous course. and the
harder she is pinched the sooner she will per-
ccivc the necessity Of mcnding her ways The
inconvenience we should suffer from non-ntcr-
cOurse is nothing TO that she would suffer. As
between retaliation by scizing her vessels and
by stopping trade. We should prefer the latter.
1t will hurt moro and occasion far less dispute
and bad feeling. On the whole. Senator Ed
munds's bill is probably the best that could be
adopted TO deal with The case. and if CaEada
is willing to sacrifice all she will have 10 sac
rifice under it for the sake Of keeping our fish
crmcn away, she will play losing game. She
may as well understand first as last that the
United States will never cOncede TO her the
free trade privileges which are the real object
Of her course Of outrage.